Jerald Louis Johnson, 85

Jerald Louis “Jerry” Johnson, born Feb. 6, 1941, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away peacefully Sept. 18, 2026, with his family by his side.

Jerry graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1959. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to a destroyer, the USS Black. During his enlistment, he also rode the USS Chandler and the USS Cunningham. Jerry was Honorably discharged in October of 1964.

Jerry married Janice Mae Fields in June of 1961. They were blessed with two wonderful boys — Mark in January 1963 and Darrin in February 1965.

When Jerry was discharged from the Navy, he went to work for Idaho Veneer and applied with the Idaho State Police. He was hired in 1966 and worked at the Huetter Port of Entry for two years. A residency position became available in Sandpoint in 1968 and he was transferred there, where he served for the remainder of his 28 years of service.

Jerry married the love of his life, Nancy Daniel Johnson, in January 1981. They have been married for 45-plus years. Jerry and Nancy both loved horses, camping, fishing and their family. They spent many an hour riding the high country of North Idaho in the Selkirk Mountains on their quarter horses and then their Kiger Mustangs during later years. Some of their fondest moments included their horse packing trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with some of their closest friends. They loved the Sun River area and their first trip was 97 miles long.

The Johnson clan, with Jerry being the patriarch, have had annual camping trips for many years with one of their favorite places being Smith Creek, north of Bonners Ferry. It is a family tradition that will be carried forward for years to come.

Jerry has been an avid outdoorsman all of his life and loved hunting, mainly because he could be out in the woods and quietly enjoy his surroundings. He had many successful hunts and passed that love of outdoors and hunting down to both of his sons and grandsons and now, great-grandsons.

Jerry was truly a family man and loved his family with all of his being. He was a man of truth, honesty and faith.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Nancy; two sons, Mark (Colleen) of Laclede, Idaho, and Darrin (Karen) of Priest River, Idaho; two sisters, Billie (Gordon) Ormesher of Hayden, and Sheri Osburn of Laramie, Wyo.; 13 grandchildren and their spouses; 26 great-grandchildren; aunts; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jerry’s service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 602 Schweitzer Cutoff Road, Sandpoint, ID 83864, at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 10, 2026, in the chapel. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. at Grandview Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.

Family and friends are invited to sign Jerry's online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.